Pals raise £1,500 with their ’taches

RAISING more than £1,500 for charity was no close shave for these generous pals.

Joe McNaughton and Rob Heselton, both 22, took part in the charity campaign Movember last year and also took the time to organise a fundraising evening.

After the challenge, left to right, Joe McNaughton, hospice nurse Julie Mason and Rob Heselton.

Their efforts in growing a moustache helped to raise awareness and cash for prostate cancer and the lads provided another boost for charity with their hugely successful event.

The Raglan Quoit and Social Club, in the town, was packed out for an evening of entertainment including raffles, a disco and a live performance from Freddie Mercury impersonator Billy West.

After their month-long challenge and charity evening the pals were delighted to hand over £1,300 to Hartlepool & District Hospice and another £220 to the Prostate Cancer Charity.

Joe, who works in recruitment for a driving school and lives in the Fens area of Hartlepool, said: “We have friends and family who have been to the hospice so we have experienced the great work they do.

“We used the idea of Movember as part of the event and intended to make a donation to the prostate cancer group but our main focus was the hospice.

“A group of us grew moustaches for the whole of November and our target was to raise £1,000, we were overwhelmed when the grand total exceeded £1,500.”

Greg Hildreth, events and community facilitator at the hospice, said: “Thanks and congratulations to all involved for such a successful fundraising event, especially Joe and Rob for their organisation and Billy for putting on another show for us.

“Everything raised will be used to support our patients, we could not continue the good work that we do without the wonderful help we get from events and people like these.”

Francis McAllister, director of fundraising at the hospice, added: “This is a great example of the fantastic support we receive from our local community.

“The hospice is only partly funded by the Government and this local support is what enables us to continue caring for adults and young people with life limiting illnesses in the communities of Hartlepool and east Durham.

“I would like to thank each and every person who makes the effort to support the hospice whether it is with a small donation or by organising a large event, every little helps.”